Shapiro Calls Funding Freeze Actions ‘Chaotic’ and ‘Reckless’
“This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc.”
January 29, 2025
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“This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc.”
Speaking in Harrisburg to highlight his Administration’s work to save consumers billions on their utility bills, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that computer systems that the state uses to operate initiatives that rely on federal funding have been restored to working order.
On Tuesday, following the Trump administration’s memo from the Office of Management and Budget to freeze federal spending, Pennsylvania and other states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, in particular, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents.
“This was chaotic. It was reckless, and it wreaked havoc on communities,” said Shapiro. “Late last night, those computer systems were restored, and they are now operating and functioning properly. This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc on our communities and stop these federal dollars from flowing to our states.
Shapiro said he spoke to several governors on Tuesday from both sides of the aisle who also expressed their concerns.
“Our states and the initiatives we run to help folks rely, at times, on federal funds, billions of dollars in federal funds, so the Trump administration now has to go and explain their motives and what they actually are going to do to a federal judge.”
The governor was asked if the executive order would have any impact on his budget and the address he is scheduled to make to the state legislature on February 4.
“I think everything the President does has an impact on the states,” he said. “It’s why I hope he takes executive actions in a way that looks out for folks. Tries to lift everyone up, as opposed to trying to knock some folks down, as has been the case with many of his executives, executive orders.
“He has every right to put his views forward. He has every right to try and change the scope of federal programs. I would just encourage him, as he does that, to remember that when you make a change like that, it has an impact on people in our states. It has an impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When you stop funds to Pennsylvania, that hurts our veterans. It hurts our farmers. It hurts our kids in childcare.
“It is really important that we have a constructive relationship with our federal partners. What happened yesterday was not constructive. What happened yesterday was really reckless and really dangerous.”
Speaking in Harrisburg to highlight his Administration’s work to save consumers billions on their utility bills, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that computer systems that the state uses to operate initiatives that rely on federal funding have been restored to working order.
On Tuesday, following the Trump administration’s memo from the Office of Management and Budget to freeze federal spending, Pennsylvania and other states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, in particular, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents.
“This was chaotic. It was reckless, and it wreaked havoc on communities,” said Shapiro. “Late last night, those computer systems were restored, and they are now operating and functioning properly. This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc on our communities and stop these federal dollars from flowing to our states.
Shapiro said he spoke to several governors on Tuesday from both sides of the aisle who also expressed their concerns.
“Our states and the initiatives we run to help folks rely, at times, on federal funds, billions of dollars in federal funds, so the Trump administration now has to go and explain their motives and what they actually are going to do to a federal judge.”
The governor was asked if the executive order would have any impact on his budget and the address he is scheduled to make to the state legislature on February 4.
“I think everything the President does has an impact on the states,” he said. “It’s why I hope he takes executive actions in a way that looks out for folks. Tries to lift everyone up, as opposed to trying to knock some folks down, as has been the case with many of his executives, executive orders.
“He has every right to put his views forward. He has every right to try and change the scope of federal programs. I would just encourage him, as he does that, to remember that when you make a change like that, it has an impact on people in our states. It has an impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When you stop funds to Pennsylvania, that hurts our veterans. It hurts our farmers. It hurts our kids in childcare.
“It is really important that we have a constructive relationship with our federal partners. What happened yesterday was not constructive. What happened yesterday was really reckless and really dangerous.”
Speaking in Harrisburg to highlight his Administration’s work to save consumers billions on their utility bills, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that computer systems that the state uses to operate initiatives that rely on federal funding have been restored to working order.
On Tuesday, following the Trump administration’s memo from the Office of Management and Budget to freeze federal spending, Pennsylvania and other states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, in particular, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents.
“This was chaotic. It was reckless, and it wreaked havoc on communities,” said Shapiro. “Late last night, those computer systems were restored, and they are now operating and functioning properly. This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc on our communities and stop these federal dollars from flowing to our states.
Shapiro said he spoke to several governors on Tuesday from both sides of the aisle who also expressed their concerns.
“Our states and the initiatives we run to help folks rely, at times, on federal funds, billions of dollars in federal funds, so the Trump administration now has to go and explain their motives and what they actually are going to do to a federal judge.”
The governor was asked if the executive order would have any impact on his budget and the address he is scheduled to make to the state legislature on February 4.
“I think everything the President does has an impact on the states,” he said. “It’s why I hope he takes executive actions in a way that looks out for folks. Tries to lift everyone up, as opposed to trying to knock some folks down, as has been the case with many of his executives, executive orders.
“He has every right to put his views forward. He has every right to try and change the scope of federal programs. I would just encourage him, as he does that, to remember that when you make a change like that, it has an impact on people in our states. It has an impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When you stop funds to Pennsylvania, that hurts our veterans. It hurts our farmers. It hurts our kids in childcare.
“It is really important that we have a constructive relationship with our federal partners. What happened yesterday was not constructive. What happened yesterday was really reckless and really dangerous.”
Speaking in Harrisburg to highlight his Administration’s work to save consumers billions on their utility bills, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that computer systems that the state uses to operate initiatives that rely on federal funding have been restored to working order.
On Tuesday, following the Trump administration’s memo from the Office of Management and Budget to freeze federal spending, Pennsylvania and other states reported problems with the Medicaid funding portal, in particular, where officials request reimbursement for providing healthcare to poor residents.
“This was chaotic. It was reckless, and it wreaked havoc on communities,” said Shapiro. “Late last night, those computer systems were restored, and they are now operating and functioning properly. This was not some technical glitch. They were very purposeful in trying to wreak havoc on our communities and stop these federal dollars from flowing to our states.
Shapiro said he spoke to several governors on Tuesday from both sides of the aisle who also expressed their concerns.
“Our states and the initiatives we run to help folks rely, at times, on federal funds, billions of dollars in federal funds, so the Trump administration now has to go and explain their motives and what they actually are going to do to a federal judge.”
The governor was asked if the executive order would have any impact on his budget and the address he is scheduled to make to the state legislature on February 4.
“I think everything the President does has an impact on the states,” he said. “It’s why I hope he takes executive actions in a way that looks out for folks. Tries to lift everyone up, as opposed to trying to knock some folks down, as has been the case with many of his executives, executive orders.
“He has every right to put his views forward. He has every right to try and change the scope of federal programs. I would just encourage him, as he does that, to remember that when you make a change like that, it has an impact on people in our states. It has an impact on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When you stop funds to Pennsylvania, that hurts our veterans. It hurts our farmers. It hurts our kids in childcare.
“It is really important that we have a constructive relationship with our federal partners. What happened yesterday was not constructive. What happened yesterday was really reckless and really dangerous.”
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